Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FP User Guide 2017
FP User Guide 2017
FALL PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
In almost every industry, there are areas where workers are subjected to fall hazards. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 648 fatal falls to a lower level in 2015, and these
falls continue to be the leading cause of construction deaths. According to the Liberty Mu-
tual Workplace Safety Index, falls to a lower level are the third leading cause of disabling
occupational injuries, costing businesses $5.5 billion a year.
A comprehensive fall protection program, properly designed and implemented, can help
prevent these injuries and fatalities.
Once fall hazards have been identified by a competent person, fall hazard elimination
should be considered first. This is typically known as “engineering out the hazard” and con-
sists of redesigning the working environment and the work processes and procedures. If
this is impractical due to extensive modifications and cost, fall prevention should be consid-
ered next.
Fall prevention may be handled in a number of ways. Scaffolds, handrails, barriers and
movable platforms can be constructed to protect workers employed at heights.
Where these devices are impractical, personal fall protection equipment such as full body
harnesses, lanyards and retractable lifelines may be used. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) requires personal fall protection for workers at various
heights depending on the job.
The Fall Protection Group of the International Safety Equipment Association has prepared
this use and selection guide to provide practical, hands-on guidance for fall protection us-
ers and administrators in their selection, use, maintenance and inspection of fall protection
equipment. Information in this guide is based on OSHA regulations and national consensus
standards in North America pertaining to fall protection. While the guide does not attempt
to describe fall protection globally, it includes links to information on fall protection regula-
tions and standards around the world.
The guide is available online as a pdf file on ISEA’s Web site, www.safetyequipment.org. It
may be accessed online, or downloaded without charge. The guide will be updated periodi-
cally, and the effective date will be shown on this page. If you download the guide, check
back periodically to ensure you have the latest edition.
For additional information on specific personal fall protection equipment, contact the manu-
facturer of the fall protection used in your workplace.
Edition No. 2
May 2017
8. DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 21
Provide guidance to users on the need for proper fall protection planning to either re-
move the fall hazard, prevent access to the fall hazard, restrict worker movement at the
fall hazard, or provide the proper fall arrest equipment;
Illustrate fall protection systems;
Familiarize fall protection equipment users with the appropriate OSHA and ANSI stan-
dards pertaining to their use.
Assist in the proper selection, care, use and inspection of fall protection equipment.
For specific applications, users should always consult the individual manufacturer’s guide-
lines.
SCOPE These guidelines are written for all personal fall protection equipment users. This includes
those responsible for establishing and administering an employer’s fall protection program.
Everyone involved needs to be knowledgeable about fall protection.
HOW DO I GET It is the employer’s responsibility to develop a fall protection program that complies with
STARTED? mandatory regulations. The most effective programs are those where employers work
closely with their workers to identify fall hazards and to jointly develop a comprehensive fall
protection program that either eliminates fall hazards or provides appropriate protection
against them. Employees must also use equipment in the manner described by the manu-
facturer.
The following is an example flow chart of a corporate program for safety at height.
Requisition
Survey fall Train and equipment and
hazards retrain perform work
workforce IAW policy,
procedures and
Identify Train/retrain training
hazards instructors and
supervisors
Provide
equipment
Analyze Specify
hazards training
Corporate
Classify Specify policy and
hazards procedures procedures
manual
YES
Fall protection
category
Design
engineering
Hazards
elimination
category Train and
retrain
engineers
OSHA and other regulatory agencies have the power to fine employers for noncompliance
and negligence. Citations can be avoided by establishing an appropriate, compliant fall pro-
tection program, which includes a complete worker training program.
Employers should obtain copies of the regulations that apply to their work activities and be-
gin a fall protection regulations file. See section 9 for a listing of Occu-
pational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that deal
with fall protection. There may also be fall protection regulations that
are unique to your state or municipality. It is the em-
ployer’s responsibility to know and understand the appli-
cable regulations.
HAZARD A well-conceived fall protection program begins with identification of all fall hazards in the
IDENTIFICATION workplace. As a general rule, any time a worker is at a height greater than 4 feet (1.2m), a
fall hazard exists according to OSHA. Where a fall hazard exists, there are two acceptable
options: eliminate the hazard, or provide protection against it.
Where hazards can be eliminated, the employer must do so. It may be possible to elimi-
nate or prevent the fall hazard by changing work procedures, redesigning the working envi-
ronment, installing a guardrail, or using passive fall protection. When this is not possible,
use of personal fall protection may be required. Fall protection can be a restraint system to
keep the worker from reaching an area where there is a fall hazard, or a personal fall arrest
system to allow the worker to work at height.
WRITTEN FALL Following hazard identification, a written site-specific program should be developed with
PROTECTION detailed work procedures to protect employees. The plan should state what fall prevention
PLAN and protection measures are to be used, how they are to be used, a rescue plan, and who
is responsible for overall supervision and training. This program need not be elaborate, but
should cover the basic elements and should be clearly conveyed and understood by all par-
ticipants.
TRAINING All workers must be trained under careful and competent supervision before using any fall
protection products. Live hands-on training for all users is essential to help understand the
capabilities and limitations of their personal protective equipment. Training promotes confi-
dence and should be conducted as an initial introduction and repeated periodically for re-
view and additional practice. Training should be site-specific and may need to cover more
topics than are listed here.
OSHA standards include training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.30 for general industry and
29 CFR 1926.503 for construction. In general, they require that employees be trained in:
Employees must be retrained when changes in the workplace or types of fall protection sys-
tems and equipment make previous training obsolete or inadequate, or the employee’s per-
formance indicates lack of understanding or skill necessary to work safely.
Generally, the competent person is the person designated by the employer as responsible
for immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the fall protection program.
This is someone in a position of authority; typically a supervisor, manager or foreman. The
competent person has authority to stop work and take immediate corrective measures to
mitigate fall hazards.
The qualified person is expected to have a more comprehensive knowledge of fall hazards
and mitigation, including application of fall protection regulations, standards, equipment and
systems, physical sciences, engineering principles, and mandatory requirements for the fall
protection equipment and systems used by the employer.
For further discussion of the roles of the competent person and qualified person, see ANSI/
ASSE Z359.2-2017, section 4.
Anchorage.
Body support.
Means of Connection.
BODY A body support, or body wear, is the component that is worn on or around the torso. Body
SUPPORT belts and full body harnesses are the two most common body supports.
Body Belt
A body belt is a belt that circles the waist and is used for worker positioning and fall preven-
tion. A body belt may be supplied with D-rings on the hips and/or middle of the back. A
body belt must NEVER be used for personal fall arrest.
The only form of body wear acceptable for fall arrest is the
full-body harness.
Full body harnesses should be selected based on work to be
performed and the work environment.
Sternal attachment may be used for fall arrest in special con-
ditions, if a competent person finds the dorsal attachment in-
appropriate
MEANS OF The connecting subsystem is the critical link which joins the body wear to the anchorage/
CONNECTION anchorage connector. It can be an energy-absorbing lanyard, fall limiter, self-retracting lan-
yard, rope grab, or retrieval system. Connecting means will vary depending on whether the
worker is equipped for personal fall arrest or work positioning and travel restriction.
FALL ARREST As a general rule, it is recommended that a fall arrest system be used any time when work-
ing at an elevated level and exposed to a fall hazard. Trigger heights (for example, 4 feet
for general industry workplaces, and 6 feet for construction) are dictated by specific stan-
dards for the applicable industry. The following is recommended:
RESTRAINT A restraint system will prevent the worker from reaching a location where a free fall hazard
exists. The following is recommended:
Other:
Other suitable fall arrest systems for use with temporary, port-
able ladders, include self-retracting lanyards in place of the
rope grab fall arrester and lifeline. A self retracting lifeline
(SRL) is not recommended when a cage fixed ladder is present since in the event of a fall,
the cage may act as an obstruction, preventing the SRL from working.
General Fall Arrest Support structure capable of sup- Anchor sling, I-beam Full body harness Energy-absorbing lanyard or
porting 5,000 lb per employee trolley, or other self-retracting lanyard, and
attached, or designed, installed anchorage connec- lifeline and fall arrester
and used under the supervision of tor
a qualified person as part of a
complete personal fall arrest sys-
tem which maintains a safety
factor of at least two
Work Positioning Support structure such as a ladder Full body harness or Anchor bolt, trolley, cara-
or vertical rods body belt with D-rings for biner or rebar assembly
attachment of work posi-
tioning equipment
Restraint Support structure Anchor sling, roof Full body harness or Positioning lanyard
anchor system body belt with back-
mounted D-ring
Suspension/ Support structure Anchor sling, tripod Full body harness Vertical lifeline ascender/
Personnel Riding or davit descender and backup verti-
System cal lifeline with rope grab
Ladder Climbing – Permanent Ladder meeting the Fixed wire rope Full body harness Connecting hardware, such
Permanent Fixed requirements of OSHA 29 CFR lifeline with interme- equipped with front or hip as a locking carabiner, com-
Ladders – 1910.23 diate supports and a D-rings for attachment to patible with the fall arrester
Fixed Line Fall Arrest mobile fall arrester ladder climbing fall arrest and body support harness
Systems system
Ladder Climbing – Permanent ladder meeting the Rigid rail or track Full body harness Connecting hardware, such
Permanent Fixed requirements of OSHA 29 CFR with mobile fall equipped with front or hip as a locking carabiner, com-
Ladders – 1910.23 arrester D-rings for attachment to patible with the fall arrester
Rigid Rail Fall Arrest ladder climbing fall arrest and body support harness
Systems system
Ladder Climbing – Overhead structural member of Vertical lifeline, Full body harness Lanyard or energy-absorbing
Temporary, Portable suitable size, shape and strength synthetic rope or equipped with back lanyard as specified by the
Ladders – to support the fall arrest system wire type, with “rope mounted D-ring for fall manufacturer of the rope
Rope Grab Systems grab” mobile fall arrest grab fall arrester
arrester
Evacuation/ Support structure Tie-off sling is an Full body harness with Controlled descent device
Controlled Descent option either front or shoulder
Systems mounted D-ring
FIRST Begin by performing a hazard identification and evaluation of your work site. Then plan the
STEPS system(s) before starting work. Consider all possible paths of user movement and all fac-
tors that could affect the user’s safety before, during and after a fall anywhere along these
paths. All hazards identified in the workplace assessment must be addressed and suitable
controls planned and implemented.
A qualified person must select the components, materials, anchorage and anchorage con-
nectors to match the system application, the work, workplace hazards and the environment.
Consider the following points when planning the system(s):
Warnings – Always read all instructions and warnings contained on the product and
packaging before using any fall protection equipment.
Inspection – All fall protection equipment must be inspected prior to each use.
Training – All workers should be trained by a competent person in the proper use of
fall protection products.
Regulations – Understand all federal, state or provincial and local regulations pertain-
ing to fall protection before selecting and using the equipment.
Rescue Planning – Minimizing the time between a fall occurrence and medical atten-
tion of the worker is vitally important. A thorough rescue program should be established
prior to using fall protection equipment.
Product/System Preferences – If there are any doubts about which fall protection
products to use, contact your preferred fall protection manufacturer for assistance.
System Components – Only components that are fully compatible with one another
should be used. Fall arrest systems are designed and tested as complete systems and
should be used in this way.
Equipment Removal – After a fall occurs, all components of the fall arrest system
should be removed from service.
Sharp Edges - if work must be performed near unavoidable sharp edges, plan to pro-
tect against cutting by use of heavy padding or other means of covering the sharp
edge.
ANCHORAGES Determine the necessary locations of anchorages to assure that the user will be continu-
AND ously connected when exposed to hazards of falling. Select anchorages that are stable and
ANCHORAGE have the strength required. Plan the types of anchorage connectors you will need. Care-
SYSTEMS fully select the locations of the anchorages to:
Select anchorage locations above the harness attachment point whenever feasible. Using
an anchorage lower than the harness attachment point will increase the potential free fall
and total fall distances. Choose a location that will prevent swing falls and impact with ob-
jects in or adjacent to the fall path. Swing falls can increase the fall distance.
Potential fall distance must be calculated to determine how to rig the system, and selection
of the appropriate type of connecting device. For example, for a 6-foot worker using a 6-
foot lanyard, the total fall distance would be 18.5 ft (5.6 m), calculated as the sum of the
free fall distance (6 ft lanyard length), the deceleration distance (3.5 ft maximum allowed by
OSHA for elongation of the energy absorber), harness stretch (1 ft), distance from the
worker’s feet to the D-ring (5 ft) and safety factor (3 ft).
In this case, if the fall clearance is less than 18.5 ft, an alternative solution such as a shorter
lanyard length, or a different connecting device such as a self-retracting lanyard or fall lim-
iter, is needed to reduce the total fall distance. If the fall clearance 18.5 ft or more, there is
sufficient total fall distance available and the 6 ft lanyard is acceptable to use. Consult
manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: Never tie a knot in any lanyard to make it shorter, as it reduces the strength by more
than 50%. Instead, purchase an adjustable lanyard and adjust it to proper working length.
USER Identify all necessary movements of the user and the materials and equipment needed to
MOVEMENTS perform the planned work. The plan should ensure there is no crossing or tangling of con-
necting subsystems of two or more workers. Make certain users do not clamp, knot or oth-
erwise prevent the connecting subsystem from functioning properly. Establish controls to
prevent these occurrences.
INCORRECT CORRECT
CLEAR SPACE Make certain that enough clearance is available in all potential fall paths to prevent striking
IN FALL PATH an object. The amount of clearance needed depends upon the type of connecting subsys-
tem used, and the location of the anchorage. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for
the particular connecting subsystem or component for clearance needed.
RESCUE AND The user must have a rescue plan and the means at hand to implement it. The plan must
EVACUATION take into account the equipment and special training necessary
for a prompt rescue under all foreseeable conditions. If the res-
cue is from a confined space, the provisions of OSHA regulation
29 CFR 1910.146 or 1926.1211 must be followed. Although a
rescue plan and the means to implement it must always be in
place, it is a good idea to provide means for user evacuation
without assistance of others. This will usually reduce the time to
get to a safe place and reduce or prevent risk to rescuers.
Fall protection equipment must be visually inspected before initial use during each work
shift. A competent person should inspect the equipment for wear at least every 6 months.
Severe service or wear will require more frequent inspections.
Inspect all equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If required by the manu-
facturer, return the equipment to the manufacturer for inspection, repair, or recertification.
Remove equipment from service if a stress indicator or warning system has been activated.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for disposition of the equipment.
If a fall has been arrested, remove all components of the system from service and follow the
manufacturer's instructions for disposal.
HARNESS AND To inspect your harness or body belt, perform the following procedures.
BODY BELT
INSPECTION Webbing – Grasp the webbing with your hands 6
in. (152mm) to 8 in. (203mm) apart. Bend the
webbing in an inverted “U” as shown. The surface
tension resulting makes damaged fibers or cuts
easier to detect. Follow this procedure the entire
length of the webbing, inspecting both sides of
each strap. Look for frayed edges, broken fibers,
pulled stitches, cuts, burns and chemical damage.
D-Rings/Back Pads – Check D-rings for distor-
tion, cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges. It should pivot freely. D-ring back pads
should also be inspected for damage.
Attachment of Buckles – Inspect for any unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken
stitching of the buckle or D-ring attachments.
Tongue/Grommets – The tongue receives heavy wear from repeated buckling and
unbuckling. Inspect for loose, distorted or broken grommets. Webbing should not have
additional punched holes.
Tongue Buckles – Buckle tongues should be free of distortion in shape and motion.
They should overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their socket.
Roller should turn freely on frame. Check for distortion or sharp edges.
Friction and Mating Buckles – Inspect the buckle for distortion. The outer bars and
center bars must be straight. Pay special attention to corners and attachment points at
the center bar.
Quick-Connect Buckles – Inspect the buckle for distortion. The outer bars and center
bars must be straight. Make sure dual-tab release mechanism is free of debris and en-
gages properly.
Hardware
Snaps - Inspect closely for hook and eye distortions, cracks,
corrosion, or pitted surfaces. The keeper (latch) should seat
into the nose without binding and should not be distorted or
obstructed. The keeper spring should exert sufficient force to
firmly close the keeper. Keeper locks must prevent the keeper
from opening when the keeper closes.
Thimbles - The thimble must be firmly seated in the eye of the
splice, and the splice should have no loose or cut strands. The
edges of the thimble must be free of sharp edges, distortion, or
cracks.
Lanyards
Wire Rope Lanyard – While rotating the wire rope lanyard, watch for cuts, frayed ar-
eas, or unusual wearing patterns on the wire. Broken strands will separate from the
body of the lanyard.
Web Lanyard – While bending webbing over a pipe or mandrel, observe each side of
the webbed lanyard. This will reveal any cuts or breaks. Swelling, discoloration, cracks
and charring are obvious signs of chemical or heat damage. Observe closely for any
breaks in stitching.
Energy-Absorbing lanyard - Examine as a web lanyard (described above). However,
also look for the warning flag or signs of deployment. If the flag has been activated, re-
move this energy--absorbing lanyard from service.
Rope Lanyard – Rotate the rope lanyard while inspecting from end-to-end for any
fuzzy, worn, broken or cut fibers. Weakened areas from extreme loads will appear as a
noticeable change in original diameter. The rope diameter should be uniform through-
out, following a short break-in period.
Energy- Absorber Pack – The outer portion of the pack should be examined for burn
holes and tears. Stitching on areas where the pack is sewn to D-rings, belts or lanyards
should be examined for loose strands, rips and deterioration.
Check the hardware as directed under lanyard inspection (page 18). The snap hook load
indicator is located in the swivel of the snap hook. The swivel eye will elongate and expose
a red area when subjected to fall arresting forces. Do not use the unit if the load impact indi-
cator has been activated.
EXAMPLES OF Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the integrity of a fall protection system
IMPROPER depends on proper connection of all its components. The following are some examples of
CONNECTIONS improper connections:
Basic care of your fall protection equipment will prolong the durable life of the unit and will
contribute toward the performance of its vital safety function. Proper storage and mainte-
nance after use are as important as cleansing the equipment of dirt, corrosives or contami-
nants.
Nylon or Polyester – Remove all surface dirt with a sponge dampened in plain water.
Squeeze the sponge dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial
soap or detergent. Work up a thick lather with a vigorous back and forth motion; then
wipe with a clean cloth. Hang freely to dry, but away from excessive heat.
Housing – Periodically clean the unit using a damp cloth and mild detergent. Towel
dry.
Drying – Equipment should dry thoroughly without close exposure to heat, steam or
long periods of sunlight.
When not in use, fall protection equipment should be stored in a cool, dry and clean place
out of direct sunlight. Avoid areas where heat, moisture, light, oil, chemicals (or their va-
pors) or other degrading elements may be present.
Equipment that is damaged or in need of maintenance should NOT be stored in the same
area as usable equipment. Heavily soiled, wet or otherwise contaminated equipment
should be properly cleaned and dried prior to storage.
Prior to using equipment which has been stored for long periods of time, a formal inspection
by a competent person should be performed.
Arresting Force: The force transmitted to the body when a fall is arrested. Also known as
Fall Arrest Force.
Body Belt: A strap that is secured around the waist and is used for positioning or restraint
only. Body belts are not used for fall arrest. Also known as a safety belt.
Body Harness: A design of straps which is secured about a person in a manner to distrib-
ute fall arresting forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders, with pro-
visions for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system. Also known as
a full body harness.
Body Support: Personal protective equipment worn by a worker, such as a body belt or
body harness.
Confined Space: An enclosed area that is large enough and so configured than an em-
ployee can bodily enter and has the following characteristics: Its primary function is some-
thing other than human occupancy, has restricted entry and exit, and may contain potential
or known hazards
Continuous Fall Protection: A fall protection system that is designed so that there is no
unprotected exposure to an elevated fall hazard.
Deceleration Device: A device that absorbs or dissipates energy during a fall arrest.
Deceleration Distance: The additional vertical distance a falling person travels, excluding
lifeline elongation and free fall distance, before stopping, from the point at which the decel-
eration device begins to operate. It is measured as the distance between the location of a
person’s body harness attachment point at the moment of activation (onset of fall arrest
forces) of the deceleration device during a fall, and the location of that attachment point
after the person comes to a full stop.
Energy Absorber: A component of a personal fall arrest system which allows dissipation
of energy by extending deceleration distance reducing fall arrest forces.
Energy- Absorbing Lanyard: A specially designed lanyard that elongates during a fall to
significantly reduce fall arrest forces.
Fall Arrest Indicator: A safety device or warning flag which serves to let a user know that
a component of a personal fall arrest system has been involved in a fall, or has been ex-
posed to equivalent forces, and should be removed from service.
Fixed Anchorage: A stationary anchor point that is capable of supporting at least twice the
maximum potential force of the fall arrest system.
Free Fall: The act of falling before the personal fall arrest system begins to apply force to
arrest the fall.
Free-Fall Distance: The vertical displacement that a person falls before the fall arrest sys-
tem begins to arrest the fall.
Friction Buckle: An integral connector whereby the webbing passes over the knurled bar
and back down between the knurled bar and frame to adjust and tighten webbing straps.
Hardware: Buckles, D-rings, snap hooks and associated connectors which are used to
attach components of a personal fall arrest system or parts of a component within the sys-
tem.
Ladder Climbing Safety Device: A device that is connected to a harness and fall arrester
to prevent a fall from ladders.
Lanyard: A flexible line of rope, wire rope/cable, or webbing which generally has a connec-
tor at each end for securing a body belt or body harness to a lifeline, deceleration device or
anchorage.
Lanyard Ring: a component of a body harness that allows the user to attach a lanyard
when not in use so that it is not hanging freely.
Lifeline: A line provided for direct or indirect attachment to a body belt, body harness, lan-
yard, or deceleration device. Such lifelines may be horizontal or vertical in application.
Mating Buckle: An integral connector whereby a center bar is pushed through a square
link. Webbing is then tightened for proper fit.
Maximum Arrest Force: The peak force on the body during arrest of a fall by the fall arrest
system. Also known as peak fall arrest force.
Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS): An arrangement of components that together will
arrest a person in a fall from a working level. It typically consists of an anchorage, connect-
ing device and body harness, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline or a
combination of these.
Personal Fall Limiter (PFL): A self-retracting lanyard with a quick-activating braking sys-
tem that limits a free fall. In addition, a PFL offers versatility through dual operation by either
attaching directly to the harness back D-ring for use as a personal fall limiter, or being used
as a traditional retractable lifeline.
Quick-Connect Buckle: For leg and chest harness straps that interlock similar to a seat
belt for easy use and features a dual-tab release mechanism to prevent accidental opening.
Roll Out: A process by which a snap hook, carabiner or similar device unintentionally dis-
engages from another component to which it is attached.
Rope Grab: A deceleration device that travels on a lifeline and automatically engages the
lifeline and locks so as to arrest a fall.
Self-Retracting Lanyard with Integral Rescue Capability (SRL-R). An SRL that includes
an integral means for assisted rescue via raising or lowering the rescue subject.
Stretchable Harness: A full-body harness constructed from webbing that is a blend of ny-
lon, polyester, and a specially-formulated elastomer that stretches. Includes provisions for
attaching a lanyard, lifeline or deceleration device.
Sub-Pelvic Strap: A full-body harness strap, which passes under the buttocks without
passing through the crotch, which is designed to transmit forces applied during fall arrest or
post-fall suspension to the sub-pelvic part of the body.
Suspension Trauma (Orthostatic Intolerance): A condition that may occur when a per-
son falls and remains suspended both vertical and sedentary for a period of time. Blood
pools in the veins of the legs, which could result in unconsciousness. If a person is not res-
cued quickly, permanent damage and possibly death may result.
Swing Fall: A pendulum-like motion that can result from moving horizontally away from a
fixed anchorage and falling.
Total Fall Clearance Distance: The maximum vertical distance that a worker could poten-
tially fall and still avoid contact with a lower level.
Total Fall Distance: The maximum vertical distance between a full body harness attach-
ment point and the lowest extremity of the body before and after the fall is arrested includ-
ing lanyard extension and/or deceleration distance.
Tongue Buckle: An integral connector similar to a standard belt buckle whereby a webbing
strap is inserted through the buckle placing the buckle tongue through the appropriate
grommet hole. Also known as a grommet buckle.
Trailing Rope Grab: A rope grab which moves freely up and down the lifeline with hands-
free operation.
OSHA In November 2016, OSHA published a revision to the walking-working surfaces standards
and added a fall protection section to the personal protective equipment standards for gen-
REGULATIONS
eral industry. Text of these regulations can be found on the OSHA website.
TITLE 29
OF THE CODE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS FOR GENERAL INDUSTRY
OF FEDERAL
REGULATIONS Subpart D, Walking/Working Surfaces
Scaffolds and rope descent systems ................................................................... 1910.27
Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection ..................................... 1910.28
Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria
and practices ................................................................................................... 1910.29
Training requirements .......................................................................................... 1910.30
Subpart L, Scaffolding
Fall protection ................................................................................................1926.451(g)
CANADIAN STANDARDS
European standards for fall protection come under the purview of Technical Committee 160
of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). A listing of those standards can be
found here.
Note that European standards are accepted as national standards, and sold through na-
tional standards bodies. English language editions can be found at the ANSI Web store by
adding the prefix “BS” in front of the EN standards number in the search box, or going to
the BSI web store.
ISO Standards
The ISO committee for fall protection (TC94 SC4) is currently inactive, and the US is not a
participating member. Some of the ISO standards have been adopted as national stan-
dards, but their use is not widespread.
China Standards
China National Standards (GB) are mandatory requirements for products and services. GB
standards for fall protection equipment can be purchased online.
Go to www.GBstandards.org and enter “fall protection” in the search box.
The OSHA Web site has access to fall protection regulations, directives and interpretations,
plus compliance aids and other information. A good place to start is the Fall Protection
Safety and Health Topics page at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/. Note: Some
of the standards and regulatory information on this site may be out of date.
Do not call ANSI to ask about a specific standard. Questions and requests for interpreta-
tion must be directed to the standards developing organization. For fall protection stan-
dards (A10.32, Z117, Z359) the secretariat is:
CSA Group
178 Rexdale Blvd.
Toronto, ON M9W 1R3
Canada
(800) 463-6727
www.csa.ca
ISEA is the trade association for personal protective equipment and technologies: